Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-08-14

turely. l am 70 burst suddenly on the
fashionable world. Do you admire
mamma {? Don't you think her clever?
Oh, you would say she il clever II you
knew my sisters Letitia and Hermione.
They are both very stupid and not par
ticuially good looking-Jerry and are
the best Of the lot--yet they both mar
ried well, and Lctitin is q marchioness.
Mamma managed IL all. You can't
think how dull and pompous my bro
ther-in law Slateford is / dontthink
l should care TO be marchioness.
MIR. Codd appeared much amused by
this eirlish chatter. The outspoken
Lady Margaret mad charming pi-
quante face that made people feel
young tolook at. Lady Geraldine and
The governess returned from the al
joining room with portfolios to find
MIR. Codd and Lady Margaret on the
best of terms
Mr.. Codd had had no previous con-
ception that aristocratic lips were ever
frsnk and ingenious, though he was.
of course, aware the Humanity of n
lower degree is candid to q painful
degree.
after three weeks or so Lady Umfre-
vile Logan to thiuk it time for Mr..
, cdd to make up his mind. Why did
he not propose TO Geraldine d?
The preliminaries had gone on long
enough. and the worlds eyes were be-
ginning to fix curiously on the pair.
Lady Umfreviile had monopoized the
wealthy stakeholder too fully to escape
calumny. The Countess thought it
nigh. he expedient to give the back
ward suiter gentle push. The honor
intended for him might seem too great.
In a secluded corner at a garden party
she opened fire.
"You are evidently not n marrying
nan, Mr.. Codd,' she said playfully.
"How can you resist the lovely girls
you meet daily ?"
MIR. Codd cast q sharp glance at the
lady's smiling face.
my thoughts have always been
given to other matters-more prosaic
things, Lady Umfreville. Till lately
the idea of matrimonY. never entered
my head"
"Ah, then I suppose you have begun
to think of it. Indeed, a man Of your po-
sition-of your wealth and influence
owes this duty to society. Of course
you are entitled to look for birth and
beauty, and / feel sure that any well
brought up, right-minded girl will APP
prcciate your sterling qualities. Ihaye
no son of nay own, you know" with a
sigh, "but assure you, Mr.. Codd, |
feel quite o maternal interest in your
welfare"
This was rather more than necessary.
Mr.. Colds little eyes .parkled.
"Pray cease, Lady Umfreville. l
am not man to rate my own merits
beneath their worth, but / cannot allow
YOU to speak in these terms.
81 have thought, Mr.. Codd," con-
tinued the unabashed Countess, "that
your remarkable modesty might pre-
vent YOU from aspiring in direction
where your heart may be engaged.
Let me offer you encouragement. YoI
remember the old adage, Faint hear,
never won fair lady think | should
like cup of tea now, Mr.. Codd."
The stockholders eyes were down-
cost as he conducted the lady to a
marquee. While she slipped her tea
she wondered audibly what had be.
come of Geraldine. Finally she sent
NJ Codd in quest of the rowing dam
sci. He presently found her issuing
from secluded shrubbery in company
of Rupert Paulet. He smiled at his
friend as he declared his mission to
Lady Geraldine.
That evening Rupert Paulet dined
Gic-a.t6te with Mr. Codd. When the
servants left the room a silence fell be-
tween the two men.
cam to congratulate you, old fell
low ?" said Mr.. Codd at last.
"My dear Codd, you are the bcs
hacker in the world. You may con
graduate ne; | have won her. and it i
al owing to you. You have put the
Only lucky chance I have ever had il
my way. There'll be the deuce to pa!
with her ladyship of course, but whei
she knows all there may be extenuatln!
circumstances.
Mr.. Codd, getting up from his seat
laid a hand on the younger mans Shout
der.
81 was nearly falling in love with he
myself in the beginning, Paulet. Sh
is beautiful creature"
$50 thought-so l was afraid, an
swered Rupert.
"But / soon saw how it was, and i
wouldn't have been any good. / can
think how she mas bred so true. Th
mother would sell her soul for money
And that Little Lady Margaret
charming" here Mr.. Codd sighed
land she is so tired of lords and maj
ouises." Mir. Codd, throwing back III
head, laughed pleasantly.
"Shall tell the Countess all abou
it tomorrow L have on appointment
with her in the morning"
eff you only would, my dear Code
You might break it gently. I'm in
mortal funk when l think of facin
her"
On The morrow Mr.. Codd iumpe
into hanson with cheerful mien an
drove down to Princes Gate. Lao
Umfreville was of course at home an
r would receive Mr.. Codd in her boudoi
l This solicited interview surely bode
rome good news.
"You are an early visitor" she sal,
smiling, 81 thoughtyou were always
! the city at II o'clock"
t "Not always, Lady Umfrevill
r And, happily. l have taken partn'
who will relieve me OF much respons
bility."
t "indeed- avery wise step. A risin
9 young city man l suppose. If he IS
3 friend Of yours you must bring i'll
L here some day"
o "No, he is not city man, but II
oil that he has useful business talent
!: 1t is Mr.. Paulet. He is very reliab
u Young fellow, and l have every con
!. depce in him." Lady Umfrevil
y stared at Mr.. Codd in undigniti'
. amazement.
l "Rupert Paulet your partner! /
h wrote to say he had communicate,
to make to me. Can it possibly
h this? What do his prospects signi
10 TO me-"
o ga great deal. / fancy. l belle
it he wishes to mary your daughter.
&c The lady turned pale. 1t was Gle
10 from this that Mr.. Codd had no mat
l monial intentions regarding Lady c
T. | voldipe